To protect birds and their Ohio habitat, we must do all we can to confront climate change—including replacing dirty fuel sources with renewable energy.

Currently, Ohio has clean energy standards that address climate change and reduces the pollution that threatens our birds, fish and wildlife. The state’s strong commitment to renewable, clean and advanced energy sources is a huge success thanks to years of advocacy by the National Wildlife Federation and supporters like you.

But, some members of the Ohio legislature are attempting to turn back the clock on clean energy standards. Senate Bill 310, currently in the Senate Public Utilities Committee, would dismantle our current energy standards and erode the consumer protections that help reduce electricity costs. The Ohio Senate bill would halt any further progress on investments from renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in the state.

If we allow the legislature to move forward with this legislation, we risk Ohio once again being left behind as the next generation of jobs emerges elsewhere. The bill would lock in higher electricity bills for Ohio’s consumers at a time when they can least afford it, expose our population to harmful emissions, and cast aside our commitment to preserve our natural habitats for generations to come.

Speak Up for Clean Energy

]]>http://blog.nwf.org/2014/04/ohio-must-reject-attacks-on-clean-energy/feed/1Maryland Offshore Wind Auction Announcedhttp://blog.nwf.org/2013/12/maryland-offshore-wind-auction-announced/
http://blog.nwf.org/2013/12/maryland-offshore-wind-auction-announced/#respondWed, 18 Dec 2013 17:39:24 +0000http://blog.nwf.org/?p=89436Maryland is well on its way to bringing offshore wind to the Free State. For nearly 3 years, the National Wildlife Federation has partnered with local conservation, faith, and civic organizations through the Maryland Climate Coalition striving to build momentum and support for the rapid, responsible development of our offshore wind energy resources. On April 9, 2013 – Governor O’Malley signed the Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2013 into law. And yesterday, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) published a Proposed Sale Notice for the Maryland Wind Energy Area (WEA).

With more than 3,000 miles of tidal shoreline and the majestic Chesapeake Bay mostly within its borders, the livelihood and lifestyles of Marylanders are intrinsically connected to the health of the state’s environment. In spite of this connection, Maryland overwhelmingly relies upon the planet’s dirtiest fossil fuel, coal, to meet its electricity needs. Nearly 60 percent of Maryland’s electricity comes from coal-fired power plants, much of which is imported from out of state.

Offshore Wind is Blowing into Maryland

Still, Maryland has clearly displayed its commitment to improving its energy choices. Maryland has set a Renewable Portfolio Standard, pledging that 20 percent of the state’s electricity needs will be met by renewable energy sources, including wind and solar power, by year 2022. Offshore wind is vital to Maryland meeting this ambitious goal.

A moderate sized offshore wind park could bring 1,550 jobs to the state and there are more than 1,000 Maryland businesses that have the potential to provide component parts or services to support a new, homegrown offshore wind energy industry. Because the fuel is free, offshore wind offers the ability to lock-in long-term (25 years or more) energy costs without the threat of rising fossil fuel prices. As offshore wind power will always be available to us, we’ll be creating jobs and locking in more and more energy at stable prices for years to come. By moving forward as one of the first states in this industry, Maryland can establish itself as an industry hub for offshore wind in the United States.

These auctions are the products of persistent leadership by the Department of Interior, BOEM, and state officials, who recognize the great value of offshore wind power. America’s Atlantic Coast has some of the best and most plentiful wind in the world. In fact, the wind blowing off Maryland’s Atlantic coast is a vast, untapped energy source and offshore wind has the power to provide clean energy, to create long-term jobs, promote clean air and clean water, and protect wildlife and future generations from the dangerous impacts of climate change and produce the equivalent of two thirds of Maryland’s current electricity needs.

We have 30 days to contact BOEM as they prepare a Final Sale Notice that will provide the final details of the lease sale for the Maryland WEA – submit your comments here. Now is the time to speak up and voice your support for responsibly-sited offshore wind power off Maryland’s coast!

About the author

Larissa Johnson is the Coordinator for the Maryland Climate Coalition, a coalition of Maryland environmental, faith, business, and other community groups who have joined together to unite Marylanders to mitigate climate change to protect our environment, health, and economy. In April of this year, the Coalition had a major win when the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act was passed into law, now offshore wind energy is coming to Maryland.

]]>http://blog.nwf.org/2013/12/maryland-offshore-wind-auction-announced/feed/0Stand With Michigan on Prop 3, The Most Important Clean Energy Vote of the Yearhttp://blog.nwf.org/2012/11/stand-with-michigan-on-prop-3-the-most-important-clean-energy-vote-of-the-year/
http://blog.nwf.org/2012/11/stand-with-michigan-on-prop-3-the-most-important-clean-energy-vote-of-the-year/#respondThu, 01 Nov 2012 18:02:45 +0000http://blog.nwf.org/?p=69785This is a guest post by Whit Jones, Campaign Director for Energy Action Coalition

Prop 3 is being called “the most important clean-energy vote this year” because it would substantially boost the state’s Renewable Energy Standard (RES) and help further develop Michigan’s clean energy economy, bringing much needed jobs to the state.

Not surprisingly (but still outrageous), dirty energy utilities and fossil fuel-funded front groups are spending million of dollars to defeat Prop 3, running misleading ads, producing faulty reports and spreading disinformation about the initiative. And it’s not just from in-state utilities, Canadian pipeline company Enbridge, which dumped nearly 1 million gallons into Michigan’s Kalamazoo River in 2010 and the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (a coal industry front group) also contributed to the campaign to defeat Proposition 3.

Phone bankers are encouraged to use this photo as their profile picture on facebook and Twitter to help spread the word about the importance of Prop 3!

Battles like Prop 3 are a clear contest between Big Polluters & People Power — and in these final days we need to bring the people power to the polls. We need make sure every young person in Michigan knows what’s at stake with Prop 3.

On Thursday and Sunday nights from 6-9pm ET, Energy Action Coalition partners, the Michigan Student Sustainability Coalition, and grassroots activists across the country are hosting phone banks to call over 10,000 young voters in Michigan.

Yes, ten thousand. And yes, that’s a lot. And with a close race in Michigan, these 10,000 young voters could be the margin of victory.

Let’s go for it. With clean energy and the elections under attack by big polluters, Michigan’s Prop 3 is our chance to win a clear victory for clean energy and climate action. It’s time to dig in. Let’s leave no stone unturned.

On Thursday or Sunday night from 6-9 pm ET, organize a phone bank, or make calls yourself, to remind young voters in Michigan to vote YES on Prop 3!

Personal calls are the best way to ensure people get out to vote. Round up a couple friends, or just pick up the phone and join us in calling over 10,000 young voters in Michigan!

Does the [Waxman-Markey] proposal go far enough to promote the use of renewable electricity? Would all states reasonably be expected to meet the 15 percent renewable mandate? How would it affect the electricity industry? Will it create winners and losers? Is there a better way to push for more renewable electricity?

Here’s how I started my response:

The latest renewable energy standard in the Waxman-Markey Bill (20 percent by 2020) would be an important step forward for creating high-paying domestic jobs while reducing our reliance on fossil-fuels. The National Wildlife Federation would like to see a stronger RES, as this proposal would allow states to meet as much as 8 percent through energy efficiency. This is expected to result in slightly more renewable electricity than what the existing state requirements would accomplish in the best case.

I hope you can take a minute to visit the National Journal blog to read my full response.